Eilean Donnan Castle, by Martin Sweeny

Eilean Donnan Castle, by Martin Sweeny

 Eilean Donnan Castle, by Martin Sweeny

 Falkirk Wheel, by Martin Sweeny

 Glasgow at Night by Martin Sweeny

 Forth Bridge by Martin sweeny

Forth Bridge by Martin sweeny

Forth Bridge by Martin sweeny

 Clyde Galsgow by Martin Sweeny

Squinty Bridge Glasgow by Martin Sweeny 

Linlithgow Palace by Martin Sweeny

West Lothian Photography Studio

West Lothian's newest photography studio opened its doors this week in West Calder,
The 4500 square foot studio is fully equipped with a bowens light system, soft boxes and an infinity cove.
West Lothian photographer Martin Sweeny will using the space for his own work but also intends to rent the studio to other photographers at a very cost effective rate.
With rental starting at £10 per hour it will be within the budget of most amateur photographers and students.

Martin has also set aside room for a gallery to show some of his work, the public are free to come in and have a look 7 days a week.
Studio & Gallery Open 7 Days
1 Young Street West Calder, EH55 8EG
Tel: 01506 873220

Knight Shades Photography Studio Welcomes Students

Knightshades Photography in West Calder have built a brand new photography studio within their unit in Young Street.

At 4,500 cubic feet with drive in access it is equipped with a twenty foot infinity cove and is purpose built to incorporate vehicle photography.

West Lothian Photographer Martin Sweeny want,s to bring the fun back into getting your family's portraits taken, he believes you shouldn't have to rob a bank to have nice pictures of your family or friends.

After a lot of market research he also he has noticed there is a gap in the market that needs to be catered for, so many people have asked him to photograph their dogs that he intends extending his work to involve pet portraits.

As well as using the studio for his own work Martin intends to rent his space and equipment to other West Lothian photographers.

"Their is a lack of affordable facilities where students and young photographers can go to practice their art said Martin Sweeny" money is very tight at the moment and even the most basic of studio equipment is so expensive that it is out of reach for most young photographers.

Martin suggested that students could offer their services to family and friends at a low price to help them get valuable experience and fund their education.

By not having to fork out thousands of pounds on studio equipment they could soon start to see a profit being made. Every penny saved by renting Knight Shades studio could go towards another lens or some studio equipment of their own, by the time they leave college or university they could have earned enough cash to fund their own photography studio.

Student discount cards will be available turning the dream of studio photography into a reality.

Give Knight Shades a call or drop us an Email for further information:

01506 873220  

info@knightshades.co.uk

www.knightshadesphotography.co.uk

The Lord of the Isles Tiree harbour

The land below the wavesArriving at Oban the first thing you see, the Clansman ferry destination TireeThis mighty vessel my escape from the rat race, cuts through black waters at a leisurely paceNothing behind us but a trail of white foam, and memories of loved ones we left at homeOban gets smaller as it fades from our sight, in the wind and the cloud and the rainOn the port side majestic and proud, stands the family home of McLeanCastle Duart rises up from the shore, a fortress from days long agoAs if to guard the sound of mull, distinguishing friend from foeFlanked by a lighthouse on the opposite shore, painted in brilliant whiteLinsmore shines over the sound, guiding the ships throughout the nightPassed Tobermory we are clear of the sound and sailing on the high seaA stop at Coll and we are on our way to the beautiful isle of TireeThe captain announces arrival at Coll as passengers disembarkWith new arrivals two by two, reminisant of Noah’s arkThe car deck closed and the mooring ropes in, the Clansman’s is out once moreThe next thing we see is a house painted pink that guides us into the shoreWe land at Scarnish the sun splits the skies, and the sea turns to azure blueFull of excitement we get of the boat, and head strait for the Lean ToWith a warm welcome and an open fire we drank a few golden nipsWe looked out the window across at the bay and gazed at all the old the shipsThis beautiful island like a picture post card never fails to amazeThis is the island of Tiree

The land below the waves by Martin Sweeny Livingston, West Lothian, United Kingdom - 27 April 2004

Mary Stewart 2007 M. Sweeny

Top pictures show what is left of the Mary Stewart after around 87 years of being battered by wind and waves.

Compare this picture to the older picturebelow to se how many additional rooms have been added to the Scarnish Hotel (The Lean To)
Courtesy of Mr Angus MunnThis photograph taken in the 1920s or 1930s shows the 'Mary Stewart' in Scarinish harbour with the Temperance Hotel on the right and MacArthurs' general store on the left. Built by Barclay in Ardrossan in 1868, the sixty-four foot long 'Mary Stewart' was rigged as double-topsail schooner and had a tonnage of sixty-five. Originally trading on the Irish coast, she was bought in 1908 for Donald MacLean of Scarinish by his relation, Dugald MacKinnon. Dugald was known as Dùghall an Òir (Dugald of the gold) because he had had been successful in the Australian Gold Rush.Donald MacLean, with his sons as crew, traded up and down the West Coast of Scotland carrying coal and other cargo until the late 1930s when steam superseded sail. The remains of the 'Mary Stewart' can still be seen in Scarinish harbour.

Courtesy of Mrs Netta MartinTaken in the early 1930s, this view of Scarinish harbour shows the topsail schooner 'Mary Stewart' in her final resting place. For the previous thirty years she had traded up and down the west coast carrying coal and other cargo.Also anchored in the harbour are two lobster boats. Commercial lobster fishing began on Tiree after 1880 when the railway to Oban was opened, allowing shellfish to be sent live to the London markets for the first time.Said to have been originally built as a church, the building in the background was used as a store by the owners of the 'Mary Stewart'. It was pulled down to make the road to the pier during World War II.

Scotland in pictures by Martin Sweeny

Eilean Donnan Castle at night, by Martin Sweeny

Falkirk Wheel at night, by Martin Sweeny

Forth Bridge, by Martin Sweeny